Back labor refers to the intense lower back pain that you feel during and between labor contractions. Although back labor is excruciating, there are ways for you to ease the pain and get relief.😃

Back labor

🤰What is back labor?

Back labor refers to the intense lower back pain that you will feel during and between labor contractions when you're giving birth. It causes immense discomfort and presents excruciating pain but it doesn't mean anything wrong with your baby.👶

🤰What causes back labor?

The pressure of your baby's head against your lower back is often the main cause of back pain.😣 Other factors such as back pain symptoms during menstrual cramps regardless of the baby's position can also result in higher chances of back labor. 

Ways to ease back labor

🤰A new position

Get on all fours and try a new position during labor to reduce pressure of your baby's head against your spine.🧎🏼 This may encourage your baby to get into a more favorable position. You can consider standing forward lean🧍🏼 or kneeling against an exercise ball.   

🤰Massage

You can ask your partner or labor coach to rub your lower back.👨‍👧 Counter pressure using a fist or a ball against your lower back might also help relieve some of the pain. Whatever feels the best for you, go for it!😃

🤰Hydrotherapy

Taking a warm bath🛀 or shower might help the pain go away a bit. Soaking yourself in water helps you relax your body and provides some relief.😃   

🤰Hot or cold towels

Applying warm compresses or a hot water bottle♨️ on your lower back also may help ease the achiness and bring you some comfort. Babies tend to avoid cold🥶, so if you place cold towels on the front of your belly and warm towels on the back, it might be a good idea to guide your baby into the right position and relieve your pain.😃   

🤰Medications

If you can't endure the pain any longer, you can consider an epidural or spinal anesthesia to temporarily block the pain in your lower body.💉 Sterile water injections, although not widely available, are injected just beneath the skin in four places on the lower back and claimed to relieve the pain for a few hours.